Certified Peer Specialists
A Certified Peer Specialist is a person in recovery from a mental health condition who promotes recovery by sharing their personal experiences with mental illness and their recovery experience. Through their shared experiences, they build hope and assist consumers in achieving their personal recovery goal.
The goals for the Certified Peer Specialist Program include:
- Promote the expansion of peer support in Alabama
- Educate providers on the benefits of employing Certified Peer Specialist
- Provide a conduit for communication, support, and sharing of information, news, and ideas among Certified Peer Specialist
Are you interested in becoming an Alabama Certified Peer Specialist?
Qualifications include:
- Have personally experienced a mental health condition
- Be in recovery
- Be open-minded and willing to share your personal experiences with mental illness publicly
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Have good communication skills, both written and oral
- Complete and pass the Certified Peer Specialist Training sponsored by the Alabama Department of Mental Health, Office of Peer Programs
Certified Peer Specialist help their peers:
- Develop communication, social, and problem-solving skills
- Develop skills to combat negative self-talk
- Develop support systems
- Refine self-help skills
The Alabama Certified Peer Specialist Program is a five-day training program that includes instruction, discussion, and role-play with an examination after the training.
Note: Successful completion of the training and examination does not guarantee you a job. Peer Specialists are hired by individual providers and are subject to the provider’s application and hiring process.